30th Annual Student Research Conference
Photography as an Anthropological Tool: An Analysis of National Geographic Photographs
Luke A. Edwards
Dr. Amber Johnson, Faculty Mentor
Photography is a highly accessible art form used to document memories, moments, places, and people that has been in use for well over a century. Some photographers are anthropologists of sorts when they choose to depict people from all walks of life all around the world. How have our depictions of others changed over time? This study uses a qualitative analysis of 46 photographs that appeared in National Geographic magazine from the late 1800s to today to illustrate trends in the composition and focus of photographs of people from other cultures. It recognizes noticeable changes over time in dominant gender depicted, common activities being performed, individual dress, and continents represented.
Keywords: Anthropology , Photography, Qualitative Analysis
Topic(s):Anthropology
Art
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 3-2
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: 3:30